Economy still America’s top issue

They might disagree on the handling of the economy, but Democrats and Republicans say it should be the top priority for the government, according to a new poll.

In the Gallup survey published Tuesday, 91 percent of Democrats and 88 percent of Republicans rated the economy as the most important issue that the president and Congress should deal with in the next year.

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For Democrats, the economy is followed by education — which 91 percent also said was extremely important — and poverty as two other issues that should also be dealt with.

Republicans, however, listed terrorism and military and national defense as their second and third issues that they saw as extremely important.

In the wake of the long-lasting Obamacare battle, both Democrats and Republicans listed health care policy as the fourth important issue by 79 percent and 75 percent, respectively.

While there is some overlap in other issues listed, income and wealth distribution, gun policy and the environment only appeared in the top 10 issues for Democrats. Taxes, immigration and world affairs — in addition to military and national defense — were three high-priority issues that were only listed in the top 10 for Republicans.